Commonwealth Games: Baton Relay Presented In Yaounde

SportsElisabeth mosima | 30-03-2017 23:03

Cameroonians of all walks of life thronged the esplanade of the Yaounde City Council yesterday to take part in the event

The Queen’s Relay Baton was officially presented to the inhabitants of Yaounde yesterday March 30, 2017. Cameroonians of all walks of life thronged the esplanade of the Yaounde City Council to have a glimpse of the Queen’s Relay Baton.
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of the Commonwealth, Chief Dr. Dion Ngute said the President of the Republic, Paul Biya is particularly happy by the passage of the Queen’s Baton in Cameroon as it goes a long way to show the excellent state of relations between Cameroon and the Commonwealth and the desire to foster this fruitful cooperation.
Earlier, the President of the Cameroon Commonwealth Games Association, Kalkaba Malboum, said the Queen’s Relay Baton already meets the seven sustainable Millennium Development Goals which are specifically dedicated to sports. He said the wish of Cameroonians is that they all reach their final destination at the end of this tour in all safety, comfort and good health.
Prior to the presentation ceremony the Queen’s Baton paraded the city of Yaounde with some athletes. On arrival at the Yaounde City Council ceremonial grounds, the Baton was received by the President of the Cameroon Commonwealth Games Association, Kalkaba Malboum who later handed it to the other dignitaries. Cultural dance groups from the South West, Centre, South and Far North regions animated the occasion. After the presentation, the Queen’s Baton Relay was received by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education. Minister Bidoung Mkpatt welcomed the Baton Relay delegation and wished them a happy stay in Yaounde. The current Queen’s Relay Baton started on March 17, 2017 and will be on the road for 388 days. This year’s baton which is the longest and the most accessible ever will set the stage for the next Commonwealth Games which will take place in Gold Coast, Australia next year. The event took place in the presence of officials of the Centre Region, the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organisations, and other invitees.